News Summary
Dijon Johnson, a defensive back for the Florida Gators, was arrested in Tampa on felony and misdemeanor charges related to a firearm and controlled substance. Johnson claims the substance was creatine and denies ownership of the firearm. The Gators are monitoring the situation as Johnson’s legal battles unfold, impacting his future and the team’s defensive lineup heading into the next season.
Tampa – Dijon Johnson, a defensive back for the Florida Gators, was arrested late on May 2 in Tampa on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from an incident near East Ybor City. The arrest took place around 11:20 p.m. ET and led to Johnson being booked at 1:31 a.m. on May 3, ultimately resulting in his release on bond by the following day, May 4.
Johnson faces serious legal troubles, including a third-degree felony charge for possession of a controlled substance and a second-degree felony for possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Additionally, he is charged with misdemeanor possession of cannabis less than 20 grams and a misdemeanor charge of resisting an officer without violence. The judge set his bond at $8,500 after assessing his situation.
A source close to Johnson clarified that the controlled substance attributed to him was actually creatine packets, which are legal supplements commonly used by athletes. Furthermore, it was reported that Johnson was unaware of the firearm found in the vehicle, claiming it did not belong to him.
The Florida Gators football program is currently aware of the incident and is actively monitoring the situation while cooperating with the ongoing legal processes concerning Johnson. The team’s officials have not released additional commentary regarding his status or implications for the upcoming season.
During his time with the Gators, Johnson has demonstrated notable performance on the field. In the 2024 season, he recorded a total of 27 tackles, with two tackles for loss, across 13 games played, five of which he started. His contributions were particularly vital in helping the Gators secure victories in the last four games, where he served as a starting cornerback.
Prior to the incident, Johnson underwent offseason shoulder surgery, which limited his participation in spring practice. Despite this setback, there are anticipations that Johnson will be ready to return for the start of the upcoming regular season given his recovery and ability to participate in training.
Recruited from Wharton High School in Tampa, Johnson was a four-star prospect and was considered the No. 12 player at his position nationally, contributing to the high expectations held for his athletic career at the college level. His recent legal troubles present a challenging moment in what has been a promising journey in collegiate football.
As the situation continues to develop, both Johnson and the Florida Gators await further legal clarifications that will determine his status both on and off the field. The implications of this incident may have lasting effects on Johnson’s football career and the Gators’ defensive lineup as they look ahead to the next season.
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Additional Resources
- Sports Illustrated
- Wikipedia: Dijon Johnson
- Orlando Sentinel
- Google Search: Dijon Johnson
- News4Jax
- Google Scholar: Dijon Johnson arrest
- On3
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dijon Johnson
- AtoZ Sports
- Google News: Florida Gators Dijon Johnson arrest
